System for tracting and monitoring vessels

ABSTRACT

A system for remotely tracking, monitoring and messaging vessels ( 14 ) utilizing a global positioning system satellite constellation, having a transceiver located on the vessel to be tracked and monitored, a monitoring center located remote from the vessel, a communications means allowing the bi-directional communication between the transceiver and the monitoring center, a communications means allowing the uni-directional communication from the global positioning system satellite constellation to the transceiver, sensors on the on-board systems of the vessel, a communications means allowing communication between the sensors and the transceiver, an input/output means for messaging, and a communications means allowing communication between the input/output means and the transceiver.

STATEMENT OF RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This patent application is the United States of America PatentCooperation Treaty (PCT) Chapter II National Phase application of PCTInternational Application No. PCT/US02/31796 having an InternationalFiling Date of 2 Oct. 2002 and which designates the United States ofAmerica, which claims priority on U.S. Provisional Patent ApplicationNo. 60/326,915 filed on 3 Oct. 2001.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] 1. Technical Field

[0003] This invention relates generally to the field of tracking theposition of vehicles and monitoring the systems of such vehicles, andrelates more specifically to the field of tracking the position ofsea-going commercial and pleasure vessels and monitoring the on-boardsystem of such vessels.

[0004] 2. Prior Art

[0005] Currently, the tracking of vehicles most often takes the form ofplans in which the vehicle operators plan a route and file the routeplan with the appropriate authority and logs in which the vehicleoperators log in when and where the vehicle was for a certain timeperiod and the actual course the vehicle transverses. While this type oftracking is inexpensive, it is dependent on the vehicle operator, whomay not always be, or want to be, completely accurate.

[0006] Other forms of tracking methods include devices such as theLo-Jack® device that, when activated, sends a radio signal that can bereceived by tracking devices. While this type of tracking method has hadmuch success, it does not provide the exact positioning of the vehicle,but only provides the position of the vehicle relative to the trackingreceiver. This device is covered by U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,908,629, 4,818,998,and 4,177,466.

[0007] The Global Positioning System (GPS) has added another dimensionto tracking vehicles. Through the use of a relatively inexpensivereceiver, one can determine exactly where the receiver is anywhere inthe world. GPS receivers can be attached to transceivers to transmit theGPS receiver's location to a remote receiver, thus effectively trackingany vehicle in which the GPS receiver is located. Some GPS receivers arecovered by U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,654,718, 5,936,553, and 6,076,039.

[0008] While there are many different types of tracking devices, not allare suitable for use with vehicles and even fewer are suitable for usewith sea-going vessels. Additionally, tracking devices including GPSreceivers alone cannot also monitor the mechanical, electrical and/orhydraulic systems of a vehicle. Vessel systems monitoring can be adesirable addition, especially remote vessel systems monitoring.

[0009] Thus, it can be seen that there exists a need for a relativelylow-cost, simple to use and operate, reliable system for tracking theposition and monitoring the systems of vehicles. There especially is aneed for such a system for tracking the position and monitoring theon-board systems of sea-going vessels, which cannot simply pull off tothe side of the road or into the nearest service station or rest area.The present invention is directed to these needs.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0010] Briefly, the present invention is a system for determining thelocation of a vehicle, for monitoring the status of the on-board systemsof the vehicle, and for transmitting this information to a remotelocation. The present system comprises location means for determiningthe location of the vehicle, such as a global positioning system (GPS)receiver; monitoring means for monitoring the systems of the vehicle,such as pressure and temperature sensors; computing means for computingand storing the information obtained from the location means and themonitoring means, such as a microprocessor; and transmitting means fortransmitting the obtained information to a remote location or monitoringcenter, such as a radio frequency (RF) transceiver. These various meanspreferably are combined in relatively small and inexpensive structuresthat are highly resistant to weather and other environmental andgeographic factors. In a preferred embodiment, the present invention isfor use on nautical-going vessels. In another preferred embodiment, thepresent invention is for use on aeronautical vessels. In still anotherpreferred embodiment, the present invention is for use on terrestrialvessels.

[0011] In one embodiment, the present invention relies on communicationsbetween a first or primary terminal located on the vehicle and,ultimately, a second or remote terminal located at a location remotefrom the vehicle. The primary terminal utilizes small, inexpensive,high-performance RF transceiver that supports wide-area wireless datanetworks, or a mobile satellite terminal supporting regional L-Bandsatellite networks, or other similar or interchangeable satellitenetworks. The RF transceiver is capable of communicating with the remoteterminal either directly or through repeater or relay stations, orthrough satellite linkages.

[0012] At least the primary terminal comprises an embedded 12-channelglobal positioning system (GPS) receiver, or a similar means forproviding location information. As the GPS technology already is inplace and usable by the general public, GPS is a preferred locationdetermining means. The primary terminal, through the GPS receiver,obtains data from the GPS satellite array to determine the exactlocation of the vehicle. Through the RF transceiver, the primaryterminal can transmit the location information to the remote terminal.

[0013] The primary terminal also interfaces with on-board local sensorsto monitor vessel systems, such as bilge levels, AC and DC voltage, tanklevels, alarms and other systems aboard the vessel. The interface caninclude, for example, a microprocessor that polls sensors or othermicroprocessors in the various vessel systems and obtains data fromthese sensors or other microprocessors. Through the RF transceiver, theprimary terminal can transmit the vessel systems information to theremote terminal, either in raw data form or in a collated or otherwisetransformed form.

[0014] The remote terminal can be selected from a myriad of choices. Onechoice is a private or governmental monitoring organization thatreceives the data from the primary terminal and retransmits the data tothe party responsible for the vessel. Another choice is a computer orother device owned or operated directly by the party responsible for thevessel. Still another choice is the customs service, coast guard, orother military or quasi-military organization responsible for the safetyof vehicles within the area or areas the vehicle is operating. Ingeneral, the remote terminal either comprises or is connected to anRF-transceiver or satellite downlink so as to be able to receive thedata sent by the primary terminal, and further comprises the ability todecode and/or interpret the data and present the data to the user in acoherent format.

[0015] Optionally, the present invention can store data inputs and sendencrypted reports via satellite or RF data networks to a land-basedmonitoring center in the form of a packet data transmission. Vesselcondition reports, including vessel system monitoring reports, can besent automatically from the primary terminal on the vessel to the remoteterminal at predetermined intervals. The vessel operator also cantransmit specific reports of mechanical problems, emergency conditionsor text messages using the invention.

[0016] Also optionally, built-in links between the primary terminal andnautical charts can provide the location data of the vessel. Thelocation data can be transmitted manually when desired, or automaticallyat predetermined intervals. To track the vessel's movement, the presentinvention can provide a polling feature in which the monitoring stationcomprising the remote terminal can poll the vessel's primary terminaland obtain the location information of the vessel from the GPS receiverwithin or cooperating with the primary terminal.

[0017] A feature of the present invention is to provide a system fortracking the position of a vessel by using a combination of componentslocated in the vessel and of components located in a remote monitoringstation that communicate with each other to determine the vessel'slocation.

[0018] Another feature of the present invention is to provide a systemfor monitoring the systems of a vessel by using a combination of systemsensors interfacing with selected systems on the vessel and a remotemonitoring station that communicate with each other to provideinformation about the operation of the vessel's systems.

[0019] A further feature of the present invention is to provide a systemfor the voiceless communication of a vessel's position, systemoperation, float or route plans, alarms and other information to aremote monitoring station.

[0020] These features and other features and advantages of the presentinvention will become more apparent to those of ordinary skill in theart when the following detailed description of the preferred embodimentsis read in conjunction with the attached figures.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0021]FIG. 1 is a representation of the system of the present inventionin operation.

[0022]FIG. 2 is a sectional side view of a representative vesselcomprising the system of the present invention.

[0023]FIG. 3 is an illustration of the interconnection among the variouscomponents of the system of the present invention.

[0024]FIG. 4 is an illustration of the interconnection among thetracking components of the system of the present invention.

[0025]FIG. 5 is an illustration of the interconnection among themonitoring components of the system of the present invention.

[0026]FIG. 6 is an illustration of the interconnection among themessaging components of the system of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0027] The present invention provides vessel owners with the ability totrack their vessel's location, monitor their vessel's on-board systems,and engage in real-time text messaging both while aboard and while notaboard their vessel. The system of the present invention comprises atracking and monitoring system for both pleasure and commercial vessels.Further, the system of the present invention allows the remotemonitoring of a vessel's location and operating status, for safetyreasons (theft, fire, emergency), for commerce reasons (locationrelative to port, estimated time of arrival), and for maintenancereasons (condition of batteries, fluids, fuel).

[0028] Throughout this specification and in the claims, the termsvessel, vehicle and boat will be used interchangeably. Further, thepreferred embodiments of the present invention will be disclosed inconnection with a sea-going vessel as the illustrative embodiment.However, the present invention is applicable to all types of vehiclesand machines. For example, the present invention is applicable topowered boats, trucks, airplanes and cars, as well as other vehicles.Further, the present invention is applicable to non-powered trailers andbarges, as well as other mobile devices that are routinely moved andhave secondary systems such as hydraulic brakes and electrical systems.Additionally, the present invention is applicable to non-mobilemachines. Thus, in preferred embodiments, the present invention is foruse on nautical-going vessels, aeronautical vessels, and terrestrialvessels.

[0029] Also throughout this specification and in the claims, the term RFtransceiver refers to terminals supporting high frequency radio, orwide-area wireless data networks, or a mobile satellite terminalsupporting regional L-Band satellite networks, or other similar orinterchangeable satellite networks.

[0030] Using the present invention, a boat owner or, in the case of acharter fleet or commercial operator, a fleet manager, can track one ormore vessel's position and monitor the status of one or more vessel'son-board systems remotely through an Internet or other networkconnection. In addition, from on-board the vessel, the vessel operatorcan use the present invention to open, modify and close float plans, toreport problems, weather, accidents, and emergencies, and even to sendtext messages by means of a small, hand-held device operating oncommercially available software. For example, the operating instructionsfor the present invention can be resident on any suitable computingdevice, such as a personal digital assistant (PDA) or other handheldcomputer using the Palm® OS or Windows CE® software, laptop computers,or larger desktop style computers.

[0031] Referring now to FIGS. 1 and 2, the present invention is a system10 for determining the location of a vessel 14, for monitoring thestatus of the on-board systems of the vessel 14, and for transmittingthis information to a remote location, such as a monitoring center 16.More specifically, the present system 10 comprises an on-boardcomponent, the first or primary terminal 30, that obtains and/ordetermines the vessel's 14 location and monitors the vessel's 14systems, all referred to collectively as the vessel's status, and anoff-board component, the second or remote terminal 32, for remotelymonitoring the vessel's 14 status. The primary terminal 30 and theremote terminal 32 communicate with each other through any wirelesscommunications system, such as for example electromagnetic wave-basedtransceivers including RF transceivers 12 or satellite links 18 asillustrative embodiments.

[0032] Within or connected to the primary terminal 30 is location means34 for determining the location of the vessel 14, monitoring meanscomprising microprocessor 48 and sensors 28 for monitoring the systemsof the vehicle 14, computing means 36 for computing and storing theinformation obtained from the location means 34 and the sensors 28, andtransmitting means such as transceiver 12 for transmitting the obtainedinformation to a remote location such as monitoring center 16. As such,the term primary terminal 30 as used herein is meant to comprise thelocation means 34, the microprocessor 48 of the monitoring means, thecomputing means 36 (which may be combined with or the same asmicroprocessor 48), and the transmitting means, whether these individualcomponents are combined with each other, proximal to each other orseparated from each other.

[0033] A preferred location means 34 is a global positioning system(GPS) receiver due to its accuracy, ease of use, and ready availability.Preferred monitoring means include sensors 28 such as pressure andtemperature sensors, fluid level indicators, and electromagnetic meters.Preferred computing means 36 include computational devices such as amicroprocessor, and can be in the form of any readily availablecomputer. Preferred transmitting means include RF-transceivers 12 andoptical transceivers capable of communicating with radio stations andrepeaters, satellites, and other communications relay devices. Thesevarious means preferably are combined in relatively small andinexpensive structures that are highly resistant to weather and otherenvironmental and geographic factors.

[0034] Referring now specifically to FIG. 1, the present system 10relies on communications between the primary terminal 30 located on thevessel 14 and, ultimately, the remote terminal 32 located at a locationremote from the vessel 14 such as at the monitoring center 16. Theprimary terminal 30 preferably comprises a first communications meansallowing the bi-directional communication between the transceiver andthe monitoring center, such as a small, inexpensive, high-performance RFtransceiver 12 that supports wide-area wireless data networks, or amobile satellite terminal supporting regional L-Band satellite networks60, or other similar or interchangeable satellite networks. Suchtransceivers are known. The RF transceiver 12 is capable ofcommunicating with the remote terminal 32 either directly or throughrepeater or relay stations, or through satellite 18 linkages.

[0035] At least the primary terminal 30 comprises a secondcommunications means allowing the unidirectional communication from aglobal positioning system (GPS) satellite constellation to the primaryterminal, such as an embedded 12-channel global positioning system (GPS)receiver, or a similar location means 34 for providing locationinformation. As the GPS technology already is in place and usable by thegeneral public, GPS is a preferred location means 34. The primaryterminal 30, through the GPS receiver, obtains data from the GPSsatellite array or constellation 20 to determine the exact location ofthe vessel 14. Such GPS receivers are known. Through the RF transceiver12, the primary terminal 30 can transmit the location information to theremote terminal 32.

[0036] Referring now specifically to FIG. 2, the primary terminal 30also interfaces with on-board local sensors 28 to monitor vessel 14systems, such as bilge 40 levels, AC and DC voltage 42, tank 44 levels,alarms 46 and other systems aboard the vessel 14. The primary terminal30 interface can include a third communications means allowingcommunication between the sensors 28 and the primary terminal 30, suchas, for example, a microprocessor 48 that polls sensors 28 or othermicroprocessors in the various vessel 14 systems and obtains data fromthese sensors 28 or other microprocessors. Such sensors 28 are known.Through the RF transceiver 12, the primary terminal 30 can transmit thevessel 14 systems information to the remote terminal 32, either in rawdata form or in a collated or otherwise transformed form.

[0037] The monitoring means, comprising microprocessor 48 or theequivalent connected to sensors 28 or the equivalent via connections 50,which can be hard wiring or wireless connections, can be any known orfuture means for monitoring the vessel's systems. Many such systemsalready are known in the art. For example, bilge 40 levels and fuel tank44 currently are monitored by gauges showing whether the bilge 40 andfuel tank 44 are full, empty or somewhere in between. Similarly,voltages 42 currently are monitored by voltage meters that may show thelevel of battery charge remaining and whether the battery is charging ordischarging. Oil pressure alarms 46 currently indicate whether the oilpressure or temperature is too high, too low, or acceptable. Securityalarms 64 indicate security breaches. These and other sensors and alarmsare centralized by the system 10 through the microprocessor 48 or otherequivalent monitoring means. The monitoring means can monitor suchsystems as electrical systems, hydraulic systems, fluid systems,mechanical systems, electronic systems, power systems, alarm systems,operating systems, and combinations thereof.

[0038] The remote terminal 32 can be selected from a myriad of choices.One choice is a private or governmental monitoring organization orcenter 16 that receives the data from the primary terminal 30 andretransmits the data to the party responsible for the vessel 14. Anotherchoice is a computer or other device owned or operated directly by theparty responsible for the vessel 14. Still another choice is the customsservice, coast guard, or other military or quasi-military organizationresponsible for the safety of vessels within the area or areas thevessel 14 is operating. In general, the remote terminal 32 eithercomprises or is connected to an RF-transceiver 12 or satellite downlinkso as to be able to receive the data sent by the primary terminal 30,and further comprises the ability to decode and/or interpret the dataand present the data to the user in a coherent format.

[0039] Optionally, the system 10 can store data inputs and sendencrypted reports via satellite or RF data networks to the monitoringcenter 16 or other remote terminal 32 in the form of a packet datatransmission. Vessel 14 condition reports, including vessel 14 systemmonitoring reports, can be sent automatically from the primary terminal30 on the vessel 14 to the remote terminal 32 at predeterminedintervals. More specifically, the system 14 can comprise an automaticmode that continuously records the vessel's 14 location and the vessel'sstatus, and either continuously or at preset intervals transmits thisdata to the remote terminal 32. Alternatively or additionally, thevessel 14 operator also can transmit specific reports of mechanicalproblems, emergency conditions or text messages using the system 14.

[0040] Also optionally, built-in links between the primary terminal 30and nautical charts can provide the location data of the vessel 14.Alternatively, the computing means 36 or the GPS receiver can bepre-loaded with nautical charts. As disclosed previously, the locationdata can be transmitted manually when desired, or automatically atpredetermined intervals. To track the vessel's 14 movement, the system10 can provide a polling feature in which the monitoring center 16comprising the remote terminal 32 can poll the vessel's 14 primaryterminal 30 and obtain the location information of the vessel 14 fromthe GPS receiver within or cooperating with the primary terminal 30.

[0041] The system 10 can reduce theft and insurance claims by acting asa round-the-clock security system. It is contemplated that users of thesystem 10 can subscribe to a monitoring service that will continuouslymonitor the vessel 14. For example, the user and the monitoring center16, through an Internet or other site with password control, can accessencrypted reports from the vessel 14. At a glance, the user, subscriberand/or the monitoring center 16 can see the vessel's 14 latest positionon a nautical chart that can be embedded in the software of the system10 and can view the status of the on-board systems of the vessel 14 on agraphic display screen 52.

[0042] A notification can be sent automatically to the user whenever analarm 46 condition exists on the vessel 14. Further, a responseorganization such as the coast guard or a private security firm can beautomatically notified, or notified by the user or monitoring center 16,when an alarm 46 is triggered. For example, when alerted by an alarm 46or unauthorized movement, the vessel's 14 position can be tracked andrelayed to the appropriate law enforcement agencies.

[0043] With the system 10 activated, a vessel's 14 owner or operator canfile a float plan with the monitoring center 16. Preferably this isaccomplished through a wireless device 26 operated by the operator onthe vessel or elsewhere that interacts with the RF transceiver 12 on thevessel 14, which then transmits the float plan and/or other data to themonitoring center 16. The monitoring center 16 then can automaticallytrack the vessel's 14 location and can note any deviation from the floatplan. In addition, the system 10 can allow two-way messaging during thevoyage. This is convenient for reporting problems or requestingcommercial assistance when out of normal radio range. The system 10further can comprise an emergency screen or feature that can beactivated at any time to send a distress message to the monitoringcenter 16 to report a fire, sinking, illness, collision, seajacking, orother event.

[0044] Thus, as shown schematically in FIGS. 1 and 2, the system 10 canmonitor the location of the vessel 14 and the on-board systems of thevessel 14, such as the mechanical, hydraulic, engine, electrical andother systems, and transmit related data to a remote terminal 32 ormonitoring center 16. Using the system's 10 reporting and/or messagingcapabilities, the monitoring center 16 can notify the vessel's 14operator of required maintenance, such as when to change the engine oil,and can indicate the closest service facility to the vessel's 14location. In this way, for example, charter operators and managementcompanies can be certain that the chartered vessel is being operatedwithin specified speeds and temperatures, as well as insuring thatgeographic cruising limits are not exceeded.

[0045] Referring now to FIG. 3, an illustration of the variouscomponents of the system 10 and how they interconnect is shown. Thetransceiver 12 preferably is securely mounted to the vessel 14 at alocation where it can freely transmit to a monitoring center 16, asatellite 18 and/or a GPS constellation 20. The GPS constellationprovides the transceiver 12 with location information that istransmitted from the vessel 14 to the monitoring center 16 eitherindirectly through the satellite 18 or directly by RF. The operator oruser can access the information transceived between the vessel 14 andthe monitoring center 16 by accessing a website maintained by themonitoring center 16 by a remote computer 22 and an Internet connection24 connecting the remote computer 22 to the website of the monitoringcenter 16.

[0046] The user or operator, while on the vessel 14, can access thetransceiver 12 via a wireless device 26. The wireless device 26communicates with the transceiver 12 and may also communicate with themonitoring center 16 if within radio range of the monitoring center 16or within range of a wireless cell system, such as that used forcellular telephones. The wireless device 26 can be loaded with bothproprietary and non-proprietary software. For example, the wirelessdevice 26 can have the ability to allow the user to monitor the vessel's14 on-board systems, to ascertain the vessel's location, to send andreceive text messages, and to create and edit float plans. Similarly,the wireless device 26 can allow the user to send an emergency signal ormessage.

[0047] The user or operator, while not on the vessel 14, can access thetransceiver 12 also through the wireless device 26, as above. Also, theuser or operator, while not on the vessel 14, can access the monitoringcenter 16, and the vessel's 14 information through the monitoring center16, via the remote computer 22. The user or operator can log on to awebsite maintained by the monitoring center 16 over an Internetconnection 24, and obtain the vessel's 14 information, as thetransceiver 12 can automatically transmit the vessel's 14 information(such as position and on-board system status) to the monitoring center16, where the information is stored. Further, the user or operator cancreate and edit float charts through the remote computer 22 and changecertain settings on the vessel's 14 on-board systems.

[0048] Referring now to FIG. 4, an illustration of the variouscomponents of the tracking portion of the system 10 and how theyinterconnect is shown. The system 10 utilizes the GPS satelliteconstellation 20, which can provide, through a GPS receiver, the exactlocation of the GPS receiver anywhere in the world. The transceiver 12comprises or is connected to such a GPS receiver, preferably a12-channel GPS receiver. As the GPS constellation 20 in theory is alwayson, the transceiver 12 is continuously receiving position information.This position information then is transmitted to the monitoring center16 either through a separate satellite 18 or by RF, depending on thelocation of the vessel 14. As a result, the monitoring center 16 cantrack the exact position of the vessel 14 at all times, assuming thesystem 10 is on, and the satellite 18 and the GPS constellation areworking properly.

[0049] The monitoring center 16, the wireless device 26, and the remotecomputer 22 all can have nautical charts preprogrammed into theirrespective computer memories. In this way, the monitoring center 16 candetermine where the vessel 14 is located, and the user or operator alsocan make such a determination via the wireless device 26 or the remotecomputer 22. Further, the user or operator can access, create or editfloat plans for the vessel 14 via the wireless device 26 or the remotecomputer 22 and be able to see actual nautical charts, making the use ofthe float plans more convenient.

[0050] Referring now to FIG. 5, an illustration of the variouscomponents of the monitoring portion of the system 10 and how theyinterconnect is shown. Various sensors 28 are attached to orincorporated in selected systems or components of the vessel 14. Thesesensors can measure or monitor the engine speed and temperature, the oiltemperature and pressure, the battery DC voltage, and AC voltage runningthrough the vessel's 14 wiring, the bilge levels, the fuel levels, andany other system desired by the user or operator. The sensors 28communicate with the transceiver 12, which in turn communicates with themonitoring center 16 in the same manner as discussed above in connectionwith the tracking of the vessel 14.

[0051] The monitoring center 16 can monitor the vessel's 14 on-boardsystems and if any systems are performing out of specification, themonitoring center 16 can contact the operator. Similarly, the user oroperator can access the vessel's 14 on-board system's information viathe wireless device 26 or the remote computer 22 to check on thevessel's 16 systems. An option of the system 10 is to allow the user oroperator to change the on-board system settings via the wireless device26 or the remote computer 22.

[0052] Referring now to FIG. 6, an illustration of the variouscomponents of the messaging portion of the system 10 and how theyinterconnect is shown. Generally, when the user or operator is on thevessel 14, the user or operator can send and receive messages via anycommon input/output means that interacts with the primary terminal 30via a fourth communications means allowing communication between theinput/output means and the transceiver 12. Messages can be sent from themonitoring center 16 to the wireless device 26, and vice versa, usingany common text messaging service. Messages are sent by the monitoringcenter 16 to the transceiver 12 either directly or via the satellite 18,depending on the location of the vessel 14 or the choice of the sender.The transceiver 12 then communicates with the wireless device 26 and theuser or operator can read the message on the wireless device 26. Theuser or operator can send messages back to the monitoring center 16 fromthe wireless device 26 in the same manner, but in reverse.

[0053] Similarly, messages can be sent to the vessel 14 from a remotecomputer 22. The user accesses a messaging service, inputs a message,and the message is sent to the vessel either through the monitoringcenter 16 or, via other conventional means, directly to the vessel 14.The user or operator can send messages back to the remote computer 22,or any remote computer from the wireless device 26 in the same manner,but in reverse.

[0054] The various components mentioned above are the preferredcomponents. However, substitutions may be made. For example, thewireless device 26 can be replaced with a common computer hardwired tothe transceiver 12 or networked wirelessly to the transceiver 12. Themonitoring center 16 can be eliminated and the vessel 14 information canbe sent directly to a remote computer 22. The Internet connection 24 canbe eliminated and replaced with a direct link between the remotecomputer 22 and the monitoring center 16. These and other substitutionsand replacement are well within the knowledge of those of ordinary skillin the field.

[0055] Although the present invention has been described with referenceto preferred embodiments thereof, it is to be understood that theseembodiments are for illustrative purposes and should not be construed aslimitations on the scope of the invention. Accordingly, the spirit andscope of the present invention should not be determined by theembodiments illustrated, but by the claims appended hereto and theirlegal equivalents.

What is claimed is:
 1. A system for remotely tracking and monitoringvessels, comprising: a. a primary terminal located on the vessel to betracked and monitored; b. a remote terminal located remote from thevessel; c. a first communications means allowing the bi-directionalcommunication between the primary terminal and the remoter terminal; d.a second communications means allowing the uni-directional communicationfrom a global positioning system satellite constellation to the primaryterminal; e. at least one sensor on at least one on-board system of thevessel; and f. a third communications means allowing communicationbetween the at least one sensor and the primary terminal, wherein theprimary terminal receives location information from the globalpositioning system satellite constellation via the second communicationsmeans, the primary terminal receives status information about the atleast one on-board system from the at least one sensor via the thirdcommunications means, and the primary terminal and the remote terminaltransceive between each other the location information and the statusinformation via the first communications means.
 2. The system as claimedin claim 1, wherein the first communications means comprises a radiofrequency transceiver.
 3. The system as claimed in claim 1, wherein thefirst communications means comprises an optical transceiver.
 4. Thesystem as claimed in claim 2, wherein the second communications meanscomprises a global positioning system receiver.
 5. The system as claimedin claim 1, wherein the remote terminal is a monitoring centercomprising means for monitoring the location information and the statusinformation of the vessel and means for allowing a party responsible forthe vessel to access the location information and the statusinformation.
 6. The system as claimed in claim 5, wherein the partyresponsible for the vessel can access the location information and thestatus information in real time.
 7. The system as claimed in claim 1,wherein the on-board system is at least one system selected from thegroup consisting of electrical systems, hydraulic systems, fluidsystems, mechanical systems, electronic systems, power systems, alarmsystems, operating systems, and combinations thereof.
 8. A system forremotely tracking vessels, comprising: a. a first transceiver located onthe vessel to be tracked and monitored; b. a global positioning systemreceiver located on the vessel; c. a monitoring center located remotefrom the vessel; d. a first communications means allowing thebi-directional communication between the transceiver and a secondtransceiver located at the monitoring center; and e. a secondcommunications means allowing the uni-directional communication from aglobal positioning system satellite constellation to the globalpositioning system receiver, wherein the global positioning systemreceiver receives location information from the global positioningsystem satellite constellation via the second communications means, andthe first transceiver transceives to the second transceiver transceivethe location information via the first communications means.
 9. Thesystem as claimed in claim 8, wherein the first transceiver comprises aradio frequency transceiver.
 10. The system as claimed in claim 8,wherein the first transceiver comprises an optical transceiver.
 11. Thesystem as claimed in claim 8, wherein the monitoring center comprisesmeans for monitoring the location information of the vessel and meansfor allowing a party responsible for the vessel to access the locationinformation.
 12. The system as claimed in claim 11, wherein the partyresponsible for the vessel can access the location information in realtime.
 13. A system for remotely monitoring vessels, comprising: a. afirst transceiver located on the vessel to be tracked and monitored; b.a monitoring center located remote from the vessel; c. a firstcommunications means allowing the bi-directional communication betweenthe transceiver and a second transceiver located at the monitoringcenter; d. at least one sensor on at least one on-board system of thevessel; and e. a third communications means allowing communicationbetween the at least one sensor and the transceiver, wherein the firsttransceiver transceives status information about the at least oneon-board system with the at least one sensor via the thirdcommunications means, and the first transceiver transceives to thesecond transceiver the status information via the first communicationsmeans.
 14. The system as claimed in claim 13, wherein the firstcommunications means comprises a radio frequency transceiver.
 15. Thesystem as claimed in claim 13, wherein the first communications meanscomprises an optical transceiver.
 16. The system as claimed in claim 1,wherein the monitoring center comprising means for monitoring the statusinformation of the vessel and means for allowing a party responsible forthe vessel to access the status information.
 17. The system as claimedin claim 16, wherein the party responsible for the vessel can access thestatus information in real time.
 18. A system for remotely tracking,monitoring and messaging vessels, comprising: a. a first transceiverlocated on the vessel to be tracked and monitored; b. a monitoringcenter located remote from the vessel; c. a first communications meansallowing the bi-directional communication between the first transceiverand a second transceiver located at the monitoring center; d. a secondcommunications means allowing the unidirectional communication from aglobal positioning system satellite constellation to a globalpositioning system receiver acting in cooperation with the firsttransceiver; e. at least one sensor on at least one on-board system ofthe vessel; f. a third communications means allowing communicationbetween the at least one sensor and the first transceiver; g. aninput/output means for messaging; and h. a fourth communications meansallowing communication between the input/output means and the firsttransceiver, wherein the global positioning receiver receives locationpositioning information from the global positioning system satelliteconstellation via the second communications means, the first transceivertransceives status information about the at least one on-board systemwith the at least one sensor via the third communications means, thefirst transceiver transceives messaging from the input/output means viathe fourth communications means, and the first transceiver and thesecond transceiver transceives between each other the positioninginformation, the status information and the messaging via the firstcommunications means.
 19. The system as claimed in claim 18, wherein thefirst communications means comprises a radio frequency transceiver. 20.The system as claimed in claim 18, wherein the first communicationsmeans comprises an optical transceiver.
 21. The system as claimed inclaim 18, wherein the monitoring center comprising means for monitoringthe location information, the status information and the messaging andmeans for allowing a party responsible for the vessel to access thelocation information, the status information and the messaging.
 22. Thesystem as claimed in claim 21, wherein the party responsible for thevessel can access the location information, the status information andthe messaging in real time.
 23. A system for remotely messaging vessels,comprising: a. a first transceiver located on a vessel; b. a monitoringcenter located remote from the vessel; c. a first communications meansallowing the bi-directional communication between the first transceiverand a second transceiver located at the monitoring center; d. aninput/output means for messaging acting in cooperation with the firsttransceiver; and e. a fourth communications means allowing communicationbetween the input/output means and the first transceiver, wherein thefirst transceiver transceives messaging with the input/output means viathe fourth communications means, and the first transceiver and thesecond transceiver transceive the messaging between each other via thefirst communications means.